You've Got Power For Today! Use it.

I bought a broom the other day. I was excited to get it. (I know, I need to get out more). But I just wanted a simple, plain old broom, nothing more and nothing less. It took a while to even find the broom section (I swept the store looking), but I finally found it ironically right next to what I thought was the witches section only to discover it was wrenches section.

My apologies to the wrenches. And if you don't get that, ask someone and consider therapy.

Anyhow, I couldn't help but notice that the broom I had looked for so diligently, complete with attached dust pan, was called a Power Broom model. Power broom? Really? Uh, where was the power part? I didn't see a cord, motor or battery. It's just a broom. I'm pretty sure the power comes from the sweeper, wouldn't you think?

Which is a lot like our personal power to live life. No, I'm not talking about controlling power, some kind of hunger to rule, be in charge, make people do what you want, etc. There's lots of talk about that these days, isn't there? That kind of power can get out of hand very quickly.

No, I'm talking about how we each have access to much more important, valuable and practical sources of strength that can lead to real happiness, joy, fulfillment and victory over major challenges.

Where can our power come from on any given day? Well, first of all, our faith in God. Many of us know we have a relationship with Him and are part of His family but we can forget about the power He offers to help us live wisely, lovingly and meaningfully. And yet the Bible tells us to ask Him to do more than we can ask or thing or to give us the wise next steps to overcome, do the right thing, lead our family, be an effective worker, etc.

Jesus said He came in part to be an example that we should follow and He paved the way for us to have a relationship with the Father in the first place.

But we have other related, practical power. We have the power to choose. Yes, in spite of what life throws at us we can still choose to respond in the best ways. We can choose to move from asking "Why?" to "How?" How am I going to act now that such and such has happened? And again our faith can be a guide to what are some wise, helpful responses. However, the choices are still ours.

We also have the power to be thankful in spite of what others are doing, saying or feeling. In fact, thankfulness is often the Scriptural antidote to facing life's challenges and living life to the fullest. Read Colossians 3, especially verses 16 and 17. "Sing with gratitude in your heart . . . giving thanks to God the Father through him (Jesus)."

Someone else always has more, is doing better, is more talented. We can still choose to be thankful for what we have.

Finally, we have the power to be who we were made to be and celebrate that rather than grieve it. We all have talents and limitations but we all have potential and a purpose. (Psalm 57:2) There's power in that reality if we'll embrace it. You may not get a certain job because you didn't have the qualifications. Okay. You weren't made for that role or at least aren't ready right now. So what? You were made to be productive and matter. Hang on.

You have the power to keep looking and find a role that you can do, a place you can serve or a special connection today where you help another person. Someone else gets more public acclaim while very few see your hard work, serving spirit or happy countenance. Be who YOU were made to be. That's where your real strength lies.

You see, practical power isn't something way off in the distance. It will be available to you everyday wherever you go, whatever you do. Look for it. Just don't sweep it under the rug, (Sorry)